You’ve heard the dream, now check the facts. This FAQ gives you honest, clear, and updated answers about what it’s really like to move to Costa Rica — from legal residency and cost of living to healthcare, daily life, and what to expect beyond the postcard.
Yes, but only for a short period. If you come from most EU countries, you can stay up to 180 days without a visa. After that, you have to make a decision: leave, return (a.k.a. “border run” which I don’t recommend) or apply for residency.
Not a classic visa, but you need a legal status: temporary residency, permanent residency or other, depending on the case (pensioner, investor, spouse, etc.). Costa Rica has +35 residency categories. The process is bureaucratic and slow, but not impossible.
Unless you have a work permit or a form of residency that allows it. Tourists are not legally allowed to work — either illegally or legally. If you want to do remote freelancing, that’s another story.
It depends on where and how you live. In tourist areas or capitals it costs more. In rural or lesser-known areas, it is more affordable. Life can range from “cheap and modest” to “expensive like in the West”, depending on your choices.
There is a public system (Caja) and a private system. Caja is slow but functional. Private is fast and efficient, but expensive. Many expats combine both. Private health insurance is recommended, especially at the beginning.
Yes, but there are rules. You have to have a pet passport, up-to-date vaccinations, a health certificate, and follow the import procedure. It can be done, just don’t leave everything to the last few hundred meters.
Ideally, see for yourself before you sign anything. The real estate market is full of pitfalls, inflated “gringo” prices, and contracts that need to be checked. That’s where our relocation tour comes in — to see exactly where and what suits you.
Each type of residency has its own list, but in general you need: criminal record, birth certificate, marriage certificate where applicable, plus apostilles and translations. Your lawyer can guide you clearly.
In general, yes. But it’s not perfect. There are petty thefts, especially in tourist areas. Otherwise, if you are careful, respectful and don’t show off valuables, life is peaceful. Important: don’t idealize, get informed!
Spanish is the official language. English is spoken in the tourist areas, but if you want to live here, it’s important to learn a little Spanish. It helps you in everyday life, in institutions, and in real integration.
It can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years, depending on how quickly you gather your documents and submit your application, how busy the system is, and what type of residency you choose. Patience is a superpower here. Nothing happens quickly.
After you submit your application to Migración, you receive a copy of the application from the expediente, which allows you to remain legally in the country while it is processed.
Simple: you come on a personalized relocation tour. You see neighborhoods, supermarkets, hospitals, we talk to a lawyer, we go to the Hacienda (Costa Rica’s Ministry of Finance), see what the traffic is like, which bank stresses you out the least, and you decide if you want to continue your life here — or not.